U.S. patent application number 16/061381 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-20 for light-emitting oral care implment and method of forming the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Guang Sheng GUO, Wen Jin XI, Bo ZHANG.
Application Number | 20180360202 16/061381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59055610 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180360202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
XI; Wen Jin ; et
al. |
December 20, 2018 |
Light-Emitting Oral Care Implment and Method of Forming the
Same
Abstract
A light-emitting oral care implement includes a light delivery
unit that includes a passageway through a body of the oral care
implement and a tuft comprising a plurality of filaments located in
the passageway, each of the filaments having a core component and a
sheath component. The core component may have a transmittance that
is greater than the transmittance of the sheath component. The core
component may include a base portion that protrudes from a lower
end of the sheath component, the base portion forming an anchor
portion of the tuft that anchors the tuft to the body of the oral
care implement. Furthermore, the oral care implement may include a
light source that transmits lights through the anchor portion of
the tuft and through the core components for transmittance from the
filaments at a location above a front surface of the body.
Inventors: |
XI; Wen Jin; (Shanghai,
CN) ; ZHANG; Bo; (Yangzhou, CN) ; GUO; Guang
Sheng; (Yangzhou, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Colgate-Palmolive Company |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Colgate-Palmolive Company
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
59055610 |
Appl. No.: |
16/061381 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2015/097247 |
371 Date: |
June 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 3/005 20130101;
A61N 5/062 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46D 3/00 20130101;
A46D 1/023 20130101; A61N 2005/0606 20130101; A46B 9/04 20130101;
A46B 15/0036 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 15/00 20060101
A46B015/00; A46B 9/04 20060101 A46B009/04; A46B 3/00 20060101
A46B003/00; A46D 1/00 20060101 A46D001/00; A46D 3/00 20060101
A46D003/00; A61N 5/06 20060101 A61N005/06 |
Claims
1. A light-emitting oral care implement comprising: a body having a
front surface; a light delivery unit comprising: a passageway in a
portion of the body that terminates in an aperture in the front
surface of the body; a tuft comprising a plurality of
light-transmitting filaments, each of the light-transmitting
filaments comprising: a core component formed of a first material
having a first transmittance; a sheath component formed of a second
material having a second transmittance, the sheath component
surrounding the core component, the first transmittance being
greater than the second transmittance; and the core component
comprising a base portion that protrudes from a lower end of the
sheath component; the tuft mounted within the passageway and
comprising an anchor portion that anchors the tuft to the body, the
base portions of the light-transmitting filaments forming the
anchor portion; and a light source in operable cooperation with the
anchor portion of the tuft such that light generated by the light
source is transmitted through the anchor portion of the tuft,
through the core components of the light-transmitting filaments of
the tuft, and emitted from the light-transmitting filaments of the
tuft at a location above the front surface of the body.
2. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the anchor
portion is a monolithic mass of the first material formed by the
base portions of the light-transmitting filaments of the tuft being
fused together.
3. The oral care implement according to claim 2 wherein the anchor
portion is substantially free of the second material.
4. The oral care implement according to claim 2 further comprising:
a plurality of the light delivery units; the anchor portions of the
plurality of the light delivery units fused together to
collectively form a matte of the first material; and the light
source in operable cooperation with the matte such that light
generated by the light source is transmitted through the matte,
through the core components of the light-transmitting filaments of
the tuft of each of the plurality of the light delivery units, and
emitted from the light-transmitting filaments of the tuft of each
of the plurality of the light delivery units at a location above
the front surface of the body.
5. (canceled)
6. The oral care implement according to claim 4 further comprising:
the body comprising a handle and a head, the head comprising the
portion of the body; the portion of the body comprising a plate
comprising the front surface of the body and a rear surface
opposite the front surface; for each of the plurality of the light
delivery units, the passageway extending through the plate from the
front surface to the rear surface; and wherein the matte is located
adjacent the rear surface.
7. The oral care implement according to claim 6 wherein the head
comprises a support, the plate coupled to the support to form an
internal cavity, the matte and the light source disposed within the
internal cavity.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein for each
of the light-transmitting filaments, the core component comprises a
light-emitting portion that is exposed at a distal end of the
light-transmitting filament; and wherein the light generated by the
light source is emitted from the light-transmitting filament via
the light-emitting portion.
11. The oral care implement according to claim 10 wherein for each
of the light-transmitting filaments, the light-emitting portion of
the core component protrudes from an upper end of the sheath
component.
12. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein each of
the light-transmitting filaments is a U-shaped filament comprising
a bight portion, a first leg portion extending from the bight
portion, and a second leg portion extending from the bight portion;
and wherein for each of the light-transmitting filaments: (1) the
first leg portion comprises a first section of the sheath component
and a first section of the core component, the first section of the
sheath component surrounding the first section of the core
component; (2) the second leg portion comprises a second section of
the sheath component and a second section of the core component,
the second section of the sheath component surrounding the second
section of the core component; and (3) the bight portion comprising
a third section of the core component, the third section of the
core component protruding from lower ends of the first and second
sections of the sheath component.
13. The oral care implement according to claim 12 further
comprising: wherein for each of the light-transmitting filaments:
(1) the first section of the core component comprises a
light-emitting portion that is exposed at a distal end of the first
leg portion; and (2) the second section of the core component
comprises a light-emitting portion that is exposed at a distal end
of the second leg portion; and wherein for each of the
light-transmitting filaments, the light generated by the light
source is emitted from the light-transmitting filament via the
light-emitting portions of the first and second sections of the
core component.
14. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein each of
the light-transmitting filaments is a U-shaped filament comprising
a bight portion, a first leg portion extending from the bight
portion, and a second leg portion extending from the bight portion;
and wherein for each of the light-transmitting filaments, the bight
portion is formed by the core component and is free of the sheath
component.
15. The oral care implement according to claim 12 further
comprising: a plurality of the light delivery units; the body
comprising a handle and a head, the head comprising the portion of
the body; and for each of the plurality of the light delivery
units, the tuft anchored in the passageway by a staple.
16. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the second
material is opaque and the first material is translucent or
transparent.
17. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the second
material is erodible by a chemical etchant and the first material
is resistant to the chemical etchant.
18. A light-emitting toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head having
a front surface and a plurality of tuft holes; a plurality of
bristle tufts mounted to the head within the plurality of tuft
holes, the plurality of bristle tufts protruding from the front
surface of the head to form a tooth cleaning element field; the
plurality of bristle tufts comprising at least one
light-transmitting tuft comprising a plurality of
light-transmitting filaments, each of the light-transmitting
filaments comprising: a core component formed of a first material
having a first transmittance; a sheath component formed of a second
material having a second transmittance, the sheath component
surrounding the core component, the first transmittance being
greater than the second transmittance; and the core component
comprising a base portion that protrudes from a lower end of the
sheath component; the at least one light-transmitting tuft
comprising an anchor portion embedded in the head that is formed by
the base portions of the light-transmitting filaments, the anchor
portion formed of the first material; and a light source in
operable cooperation with the anchor portion of the at least one
light-transmitting tuft.
19. The oral care implement according to claim 18 wherein the
anchor portion is a monolithic mass of the first material formed by
the base portions of the light-transmitting filaments of the at
least one light-transmitting tuft being fused together.
20. The oral care implement according to claim 19 wherein the
anchor portion is substantially free of the second material.
21. A method of forming a light-emitting oral care implement, the
method comprising: a) forming a plurality of filaments comprising:
a core component formed of a first material having a first light
transmittance; and a sheath component formed of a second material
having a second light transmittance, the sheath component
surrounding the core component, the first light transmittance being
greater than the second light transmittance; b) for each of the
filaments, removing a portion of the sheath component so that a
base portion of the core component is exposed and protrudes from a
lower end of a remaining portion of the sheath component, thereby
forming a plurality of light-transmitting filaments; c) mounting
the plurality of light-transmitting filaments to a body of the
light-emitting oral care implement; and d) operably coupling a
light source to the base portions of the plurality of
light-transmitting filaments within the body.
22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising: wherein
step c) comprises: c-1) bundling the light-transmitting filaments
into a filament bundle such that the base portions of the
light-transmitting filaments are adjacent one another; c-2)
inserting the filament bundle into a passageway of the body of the
light-emitting oral care implement; and c-3) anchoring the base
portions of the light-transmitting filaments of the filament bundle
within the body,
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein step c-3) comprises
fusing the base portions of the light-transmitting filaments of the
filament bundle together to form a monolithic mass of the first
material, the monolithic mass being substantially free of the
second material.
24. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A toothbrush is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque
and debris from the tooth surfaces. Toothbrushes have a handle for
gripping and a head which is inserted into a user's mouth for tooth
and oral surface cleaning. The head typically has bristles formed
of nylon and sometimes also cleaning elements formed from
elastomeric materials to perform the cleaning function. There is
evidence that transmitting light onto the user's teeth may enhance
the benefits of certain tooth cleaning agents that are used during
toothbrushing. However, known toothbrushes that emit light are
often bulky, uncomfortable to maneuver, and aesthetically
displeasing. Thus, a need exists for a toothbrush or other oral
care implement that emits light into the user's oral cavity while
being aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to use.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0002] The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an
oral care implement that transmits light. The oral care implement
may include a light delivery unit that includes a passageway
through the head of the oral care implement and a tuft comprising a
plurality of filaments located in the passageway, each of the
filaments having a core component and a sheath component. The core
component may have a transmittance that is greater than the
transmittance of the sheath component. The core component may
include a base portion that protrudes from a lower end of the
sheath component such that the base portion forms an anchor portion
of the tuft that anchors the tuft to the head of the oral care
implement. Furthermore, the oral care implement may include a light
source that transmits light through the anchor portion of the tuft
and through the core components for transmittance from the
filaments at a location above a front surface of the head.
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention can be a light-emitting
oral care implement comprising: a body having a front surface; a
light delivery unit comprising: a passageway in a portion of the
body that terminates in an aperture in the front surface of the
body; a tuft comprising a plurality of light-transmitting
filaments, each of the light-transmitting filaments comprising: a
core component formed of a first material having a first
transmittance; a sheath component formed of a second material
having a second transmittance, the sheath component surrounding the
core component, the first transmittance being greater than the
second transmittance; and the core component comprising a base
portion that protrudes from a lower end of the sheath component;
the tuft mounted within the passageway and comprising an anchor
portion that anchors the tuft to the body, the base portions of the
light-transmitting filaments forming the anchor portion; and a
light source in operable cooperation with the anchor portion of the
tuft such that light generated by the light source is transmitted
through the anchor portion of the tuft, through the core components
of the light-transmitting filaments of the tuft, and emitted from
the light-transmitting filaments of the tuft at a location above
the front surface of the body.
[0004] In another embodiment, the invention can be a light-emitting
toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head having a front surface and
a plurality of tuft holes; a plurality of bristle tufts mounted to
the head within the plurality of tuft holes, the plurality of
bristle tufts protruding from the front surface of the head to form
a tooth cleaning element field; the plurality of bristle tufts
comprising at least one light-transmitting tuft comprising a
plurality of light-transmitting filaments, each of the
light-transmitting filaments comprising: a core component formed of
a first material having a first transmittance; a sheath component
formed of a second material having a second transmittance, the
sheath component surrounding the core component, the first
transmittance being greater than the second transmittance; and the
core component comprising a base portion that protrudes from a
lower end of the sheath component; the at least one
light-transmitting tuft comprising an anchor portion embedded in
the head that is formed by the base portions of the
light-transmitting filaments, the anchor portion formed of the
first material; and a light source in operable cooperation with the
anchor portion of the at least one light-transmitting tuft.
[0005] In a further embodiment, the invention can be a method of
forming a light-emitting oral care implement, the method
comprising: a) forming a plurality of filaments comprising: a core
component formed of a first material having a first light
transmittance; and a sheath component formed of a second material
having a second light transmittance, the sheath component
surrounding the core component, the first light transmittance being
greater than the second light transmittance; b) for each of the
filaments, removing a portion of the sheath component so that a
base portion of the core component is exposed and protrudes from a
lower end of a remaining portion of the sheath component, thereby
forming a plurality of light-transmitting filaments; c) mounting
the plurality of light-transmitting filaments to a body of the
light-emitting oral care implement; and d) operably coupling a
light source to the base portions of the plurality of
light-transmitting filaments within the body.
[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an oral care implement
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the oral
care implement of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of area III of FIG. 1 depicting a
tuft comprising a plurality of light-transmitting filaments;
[0011] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of one of the
light-transmitting filaments taken along line IVA-IVA of FIG.
3;
[0012] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB
of FIG. 4A;
[0013] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA
of FIG. 3 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA of
FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA of
FIG. 1 in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5D is a close-up view of area VC of FIG. 5A;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view depicting a single one of
the light-transmitting filaments of the oral care implement of FIG.
1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA of
FIG. 1 wherein the light-transmitting filaments of FIG. 6 are
coupled to a head of the oral care implement;
[0020] FIG. 7B is a close-up view of area VIIB of FIG. 7A;
[0021] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of one of the
light-transmitting filaments of FIG. 3 having a core component and
a sheath component;
[0022] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the light-transmitting
filament of FIG. 8A with a portion of the sheath component
removed;
[0023] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a plurality
of the light-transmitting filaments of FIG. 8B arranged in tufts
and inserted through holes in a plate;
[0024] FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
application of heat to base portions of the core components of the
light-transmitting filaments to form a matte; and
[0025] FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view illustrating the plate
coupled to a body of an oral care implement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0027] The description of illustrative embodiments according to
principles of the present invention is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any
reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit
the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower,"
"upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down,"
"top" and "bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,
"horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed
to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the
drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience
of description only and do not require that the apparatus be
constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless
explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the
features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference
to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention
expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments
illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features
that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the
scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended
hereto.
[0028] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for
describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value
within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In
addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by
referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a
definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference,
the present disclosure controls.
[0029] Referring first to FIG. 1, an oral care implement 100 is
illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement
100 is in the form of a manual toothbrush. However, in certain
other embodiments the oral care implement 100 can take on other
forms such as being a powered toothbrush, a tongue scraper, a gum
and soft tissue cleanser, a water pick, an interdental device, a
tooth polisher, a specially designed ansate implement having tooth
engaging elements, or any other type of implement that is commonly
used for oral care. Furthermore, in still other embodiments the
implement may not be limited to one that is used for oral care, and
may be any type of personal care implement such as a manual or
electric razor, a hairbrush, or the like. Thus, it is to be
understood that the inventive concepts discussed herein can be
applied to any type of oral or personal care implement unless a
specific type of oral or personal care implement is specified in
the claims.
[0030] In the exemplified embodiment, the oral care implement 100
comprises a handle 110 and a head 120. In certain embodiments the
handle 110 and the head 120 are collectively referred to herein as
a body of the oral care implement. The handle 110 extends from a
proximal end 101 of the oral care implement 100 to a distal end 102
of the handle 110. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the handle
110 includes the portion of the oral care implement 100 that is
gripped during use and a neck of the oral care implement 100 that
forms the transition region between the handle 110 and the head
120. The handle 110 is an elongated structure that provides the
mechanism by which the user can hold and manipulate the oral care
implement 100 during use. In the exemplified embodiment, the handle
110 is generically depicted having various contours for user
comfort. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by the
specific shape illustrated for the handle 110 in all embodiments
and in certain other embodiments the handle 110 can take on a wide
variety of shapes, contours, and configurations, none of which are
limiting of the present invention unless so specified in the
claims. The handle 110 may be formed of one or more rigid plastic
materials such as for example without limitation polymers and
copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds,
polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polyurethane, polyamide, cellulosic,
acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or the like. A
thermoplastic elastomer or other elastomeric material may be
overmolded or otherwise adhered/affixed to the handle 110 to
enhance the grip-ability of the handle 110 and prevent hand
slippage during use.
[0031] The head 120 of the oral care implement 100 is coupled to
the handle 110 and comprises a front surface 121 and an opposing
rear surface 122. The head 120 extends from the distal end 102 of
the handle 110 to a distal end 103 of the head 120. In the
exemplified embodiment, a plurality of cleaning elements 115 are
coupled to and extend from the head 120, and more specifically from
the front surface 121 of the head 120. The cleaning elements 115
may be described herein as extending from a front surface of the
body of the oral care implement 100.
[0032] The term "cleaning elements" is used herein in a generic
sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish,
or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek,
gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of
"cleaning elements" include, without limitation, bristle tufts,
filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles,
tapered bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric lamella, elastomeric
protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof
and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. The
cleaning elements may include tapered bristles, non-tapered (i.e.,
end rounded) bristles, and combinations thereof. Any combination of
the various types of tooth cleaning elements may be used on the
oral care implement 100 in different embodiments. Some specific
arrangements of the cleaning elements 115 are described herein as
forming a part of an exemplary embodiment of the oral care
implement 100. As discussed in detail below, in certain embodiments
the cleaning elements may be light-transmitting filaments that are
arranged together in a tuft that is coupled to the head 120. In
FIGS. 1 and 2 the cleaning elements are generically depicted.
However, the details of the cleaning elements, particularly as
light-transmitting filaments, are illustrated in FIGS. 3-4C, 5C, 6,
and 7B.
[0033] As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment the cleaning
elements are light-transmitting filaments that are arranged in
bundles or tufts that extend together from a single tuft hole
formed into the head 120 (or head plate). These light-transmitting
filaments may be tapered or non-tapered. In certain embodiments the
cleaning elements may include the light-transmitting filaments
described in detail below and other types of cleaning elements such
as those described herein above. In embodiments that use
elastomeric elements as one or more of the cleaning elements 115,
suitable elastomeric materials may include any biocompatible
resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus.
To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the
elastomeric material of any such tooth or soft tissue engaging
elements may have a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25
Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from
other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted
hardness range could be used. The cleaning elements 115 may be
coupled to the head 120 using any technique known in the art, such
as stapling, anchor free tufting, in-mold tufting, AMR, or the
like, the details of which will be described in more detail below.
The invention is not to be limited by the manner in which the
cleaning elements 115 are coupled to the head 120 in all
embodiments.
[0034] As discussed above, in the exemplified embodiment the
plurality of cleaning elements 115 extend from the front surface
121 of the head 120. A tongue or soft tissue cleaner (not
illustrated) may be positioned on the rear surface 122 of the head
120. In the exemplified embodiment, the head 120, or at least a
portion thereof, is formed integrally with the handle 110 as a
single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining, or
other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the handle
110 and the head 120 may be formed as separate components which are
operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by
any suitable technique known in the art, including without
limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a
coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. Thus
the handle 110 and the head 120 may, in certain embodiments, be
formed of any of the rigid plastic materials described above,
although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments
and other materials that are commonly used during toothbrush
manufacture may also be used.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5A concurrently, the oral care
implement 100 will be further described. In the exemplified
embodiment, the oral care implement 100 comprises a light delivery
unit 140 that comprises a passageway 141 in a portion of the head
120 that terminates in an aperture 142 in the front surface 121 of
the head 120. Of course, although the passageway 141 and aperture
142 are exemplified in the head 120, they can be formed in any
other part of the body in other embodiments, such as parts of the
handle 110 or the like. The light delivery unit 140 also comprises
a tuft 117 comprising a plurality of light-transmitting filaments
150 (see FIGS. 3-4C and 6 described below). The tufts 117 are
mounted within the passageways 141 as described directly below.
[0036] In the exemplified embodiment, the head 120 of the oral care
implement 100 comprises a support 123 that is formed integrally
with the handle 120 and a plate 130 that is formed separately from
the handle 120 and is operably coupled to the support 123 during
the manufacturing process as discussed herein below. An upper
surface of the plate 130 forms the front surface 121 of the head
120 and the plate 130 comprises a rear surface 131 opposite the
front surface 121. The support 123 of the head 120 comprises a
basin 124 into which the plate 130 is positioned to form the oral
care implement 100.
[0037] Specifically, during manufacturing (which will be discussed
in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9E) the tufts 117
are coupled to the plate 130 by inserting the tufts 117 through
holes in the plate 130 that extend from the front surface 121 to
the rear surface 131. In the exemplified embodiment, the holes in
the plate 130 are the passageways 141 noted above. The
light-transmitting filaments 150 that form the tuft 117 are
inserted through the plate 130 so that bottom portions of each of
the light-transmitting filaments 150 protrude from the rear surface
131 of the plate 130. The bottom portions of the light-transmitting
filaments 150 of the tuft 117 are then melted together to form an
anchor portion 118 of the tuft 117 that anchors the tuft 118 to the
head 120 or body.
[0038] Furthermore, where more than one tuft 117 is coupled to the
head 120 or body, the anchor portions 118 of all of the tufts 117
are melted or fused together to form a melt matte or simply a matte
132. After melting, the matte 132 hardens to form a layer of the
cleaning element material that is adjacent to the rear surface 131
of the plate 130. Whereas the anchor portion 118 of each tuft 117
anchors that particular tuft 117 to the head 120, the matte 132
couples the collection of all of the tufts 117 to the plate 130 and
prevents the tufts 117 from being pulled through the holes in the
plate 130 (i.e., the passageways 141). After melting the anchor
portions 118 of the tufts 117 to form the matte 132, the plate 130
is inserted into the basin 124 of the support 123 and the plate 130
is affixed to the support 123 using techniques known in the art
such as ultrasonic welding, adhesion, fasteners, or the like. With
the plate 130 coupled to the support 123, an internal cavity 125 is
formed between the plate 130 and the support 123 such that the
matte 132 is disposed within the internal cavity 125.
[0039] Furthermore, the oral care implement 100 comprises a light
source 170 that is in operable cooperation with the anchor portions
118 of the tufts 117. The light source 170 may be capable of
alternating between an on state in which the light source 170
generates and transmits light and an off state in which the light
source 170 is powered off and no light is being generated and
transmitted. As a result of the positioning of the light source 170
in operable cooperation with the anchor portions 118 of the tufts
117, light generated by the light source 170 is transmitted through
the anchor portion 118 of the tuft 117 and is emitted from the
light-transmitting filaments 150 (see FIGS. 3-4C) of the tuft 170
at a location above the front surface 121 of the head 120.
Specifically, in certain embodiments the light is emitted from
distal ends of the tuft 117 which are spaced from the front surface
121 of the head 120. In the exemplified embodiment, the light
source 170 is disposed within the internal cavity 124 that is
formed between the plate 130 and the support 123 of the head 120.
Of course, the light source 170 may be positioned at other
locations, an example of which will be described below with
reference to FIG. 5B.
[0040] In the exemplified embodiment, the light source 170 is
operably coupled to a switch 171 and a power source 172 via wires
173 or other types of electrical conductors. In the exemplified
embodiment the switch 171 is a slide switch but it may be a button
switch, multiple buttons, a toggle, a joystick, a selector switch,
a conductive switch, a proximity switch, a temperature switch, a
rotary switch, or any other type of switch as desired to alternate
the light source 170 between the on and off states. In the
exemplified embodiment the switch 171 is positioned between the
power source 172 and the light source 170 to permit and prevent
electrical power of the power source 172 from powering the light
source 170 as desired. However, the switch 171 may be positioned at
other locations relative to the power source 172 and the light
source 170 in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment the
power source 172 is positioned within the handle 110 but it may be
positioned within the head 120 or neck in other embodiments.
Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the power source 172 is
one or more batteries. In other embodiments the power source 172
may be a plug that plugs into an electrical socket.
[0041] The light source 170 may be any type of light source desired
to achieve a particular purpose. For example, the light source may
transmit ultraviolet light, blue light, white light, or the like to
facilitate and enhance the anti-bacterial and/or tooth whitening
effects of an agent being applied to a user's mouth and
particularly teeth during oral hygiene activities. The light source
170 may include incandescent light, LEDs, halogen light, or any
other type of light desired.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4B, the details of one of the tufts
117 and the light-transmitting filaments 150 that form the tuft 117
will be described. As noted above, in the exemplified embodiment
each of the tufts 117 comprises a plurality of the
light-transmitting filaments 150. In certain embodiments at least
one of the tufts 117, and in some cases all of the tufts 117, may
consist of only light-transmitting filaments 150. However, the
invention is not to be so limited and one or more of the tufts 117
may include some light-transmitting filaments 150 and some other
types of cleaning elements (i.e., elastomeric cleaning elements or
lamella and filaments that are non-light transmitting).
Furthermore, some of the tufts 117 may include light-transmitting
filaments 150 and others of the tufts 117 may not include
light-transmitting filaments 150. Specifically, the oral care
implement 100 may include a plurality of bristle tufts mounted to
the head 120 to form a tooth cleaning element field. The plurality
of bristle tufts may comprise at least one light-transmitting tuft
such as one of the tufts 117 described herein. Thus, various
permutations are possible within the scope of this application.
However, in the exemplified embodiment there is at least one tuft
117 that comprises (or in some instances consists of) a plurality
of the light-transmitting filaments 150.
[0043] The light-transmitting filaments 150 comprise a core
component 151 formed of a first material having a first
transmittance and a sheath component 152 formed of a second
material having a second transmittance. The sheath component 152
circumferentially surrounds the core component 151 along at least a
portion of the length of the core component 151. As used herein,
transmittance is the effectiveness of a material in transmitting
light or allowing light to pass through the material and it may
also be referred to herein as the light refractive index of the
material. In the exemplified embodiment, the first transmittance of
the first material is greater than the second transmittance of the
second material. Thus, light is better able to transmit through the
core component 151 than through the sheath component 152. In
certain embodiments the second material of the sheath component 152
is opaque and the first material of the core component 151 is
translucent or transparent. In such embodiments, the sheath
component 152 may substantially prevent light from passing
therethrough to prevent light dispersion and ensure that all light
from the light source 170 transmits through the core component 151.
Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments
and the sheath component 152 need not be opaque in all
embodiments.
[0044] In the exemplified embodiment, the sheath component 152
extends from an upper end 153 to a lower end 154 and the core
component 151 extends from an upper end 155 to a lower end 156.
Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the upper ends 153, 155
of the core and sheath components 151, 152 are located on the same
plane and collectively form a distal end 159 of the
light-transmitting filament 150. Thus, in the exemplified
embodiment the core and sheath components 151, 152 extend the same
distance from the front surface 121 of the head 120 when the
light-transmitting filaments 150 are coupled to the head 120.
However, in other embodiments, such as the embodiment of FIG. 4C,
the core component 151 may protrude from or extend further than the
upper end 153 of the sheath component 152. In this embodiment, the
core component 151 forms the entirety of the distal end 159 of the
light-transmitting filament 150. In certain non-exemplified
embodiments, the light-transmitting filament 150 may be tapered.
This may include both the core and sheath components 151, 152
tapering towards the distal end 159 of the light-transmitting
filament 150 or, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4C, just the portion
of the core component 151 that protrudes from the upper end 153 of
the sheath component 152 tapering towards the distal end 159 of the
light-transmitting filament 150.
[0045] In both the embodiment of FIG. 4A and the embodiment of FIG.
4C, the core component 151 has a light-emitting portion 158 that is
exposed at the distal end 159 of the light-transmitting filament
150. The difference between the two embodiments is that in FIG. 4A
the core component 151 (and the light-emitting portion 158 thereof)
does not protrude beyond the upper end 153 of the sheath component
152 and in FIG. 4B the core component 151 does protrude beyond the
upper end 153 of the sheath component 152 such that the light
emitting portion 158 is located beyond the upper end 153 of the
sheath component 152. In both embodiments, the core component 151
comprises a base portion 157 that protrudes from the lower end 154
of the sheath component 152. Thus, the core component 151 has a
length L.sub.1 measured from the lower end 156 of the core
component 151 to the upper end 155 of the core component 151 that
is greater than a length L.sub.2 of the sheath component 152
measured form the lower end 154 of the sheath component 152 to the
upper end 153 of the sheath component 152. The base portion 157 of
the core component 151 that protrudes from the lower end 154 of the
sheath component 152 may have a length that is approximately
between one-third and one-tenth of the length L.sub.1 of the core
component 151 in some embodiments, although the invention is not to
be so limited in all embodiments.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5D concurrently, the oral care
implement will be further described. As discussed above, the light
delivery unit 140 comprises the passageway 141 and at least one of
the tufts 117 comprising a plurality of the light-transmitting
filaments 150 mounted within the passageway 141 so that the anchor
portion 118 of the tuft 117 anchors the tuft 117 to the body or
head 120 of the oral care implement 100. As can be seen in FIG. 5D,
in the exemplified embodiment the base portions 157 of the core
component 151 of the light-transmitting filaments 150 form the
anchor portion 118 of the tuft 117. Specifically, because the base
portions 157 of the core components 151 protrude from/beyond the
lower ends 154 of the sheath components 152, it is the base
portions 157 of the core components 151 alone, which are formed of
the first material, that form the anchor portion 118 of the tuft
117 and that facilitate anchoring the tufts 117 within the
passageways 141. Specifically, the anchor portion 118 of each tuft
117 is formed by fusing the base portions 157 of the core
components 151 of the light-transmitting filaments 150 within the
tuft 117 together such that the anchor portion 118 of each tuft 117
is a monolithic mass of the first material that is free of the
second material.
[0047] Furthermore, in certain embodiments the oral care implement
100 may include a plurality of the light delivery units 140. Thus,
the head 120 (or body) includes a plurality of the passageways 141,
and one of the tufts 117 comprising the light-transmitting
filaments 150 is disposed within each of the passageways 141. In
such an embodiment, the anchor portions 118 of each tuft 117 that
is coupled to the head 120 are fused together to form the matte
132. Thus, the matte 132 is also formed only of the first material
and is free of the second material. Specifically, because the
anchor portion 118 of each tuft 117 is formed solely of the first
material and because the matte 132 is formed by fusing the anchor
portions 118 of the various tufts 117 together, the matte 132
formed by many of the anchor portions 118 is also a monolithic mass
of the first material.
[0048] Ensuring that the second material is not forming any part of
the matte 132 or the anchor portions 118 of the tufts 117
facilitates the transmission of light from the light source 170
through the light-transmitting filaments 150 as discussed below. If
the second material, which has a lower transmittance than the first
material (and which may be opaque) formed a part of the matte 132
and/or the anchor portions 118 of the tufts 117, the light
transmitted from the light source 170 may be partially or fully
blocked from passing through and being emitted by the
light-transmitting filaments 150 at a distance that is spaced from
the front surface 121 of the head 120 or body.
[0049] As noted above, the light source 170 is positioned so as to
be in operable cooperation with the anchor portion 118 of each tuft
117 so that the light generated by the light source 170 is
transmitted through the anchor portion 118 of the tuft 117 and
through the core components 151 of the light-transmitting filaments
150 of the tuft 117. The light generated by the light source 170 is
then emitted from the light-transmitting filaments 150 of the tuft
117 at a location above the front surface 121 of the head 120. More
specifically, because the first material of the core component 151,
which has a greater light transmittance than the second material of
the sheath component 152, forms the entirety of the anchor portions
118 of the tufts 117, the light is able to be transmitted through
the anchor portions 118 of the tufts 117 and through the core
components 151 of the light-transmitting filaments 150 to be
finally emitted from the distal end 159 of the light-transmitting
filament 150 or from the light-emitting portion 158 of the core
components 151. The light does not typically transmit through the
sheath component 152 (or does so in a much smaller amount than
through the core component 151) due to its lower light
transmittance as compared to the core component 151. As a result,
the sheath component 152 prevents or minimizes light dispersion and
permits the light to pass through the center of the
light-transmitting filament 150 within the core component 151 and
to become visible at the exposed light-emitting portion 158 of the
core component 151. The transmission of light from the light source
170 is depicted with lines and arrows labeled "L" in FIG. 5D.
[0050] Furthermore, where there are a plurality of the light
delivery units 140, the light source 170 is in operable cooperation
with the matte 132 such that light generated by the light source
170 is transmitted through the matte 132 and through the core
component 151 of the light-transmitting filaments 150 of each tuft
117 of each of the light delivery units 170. The light generated by
the light source 170 is then emitted from the light-transmitting
filaments 150 of each tuft 117 of each of the light delivery units
140 at a location above the front surface 121 of the head 120 or
body. In certain embodiments, due to the lower transmittance of the
second material of the sheath component 152, the light is not
visible or is barely visible as it passes through the
light-transmitting filaments 150. Rather, in certain embodiments
the light may only be visible at the exposed light-emitting
portions 158 of the core component 151 of the light-transmitting
filaments 150 that form the distal ends 159 of the
light-transmitting filaments 150 and are therefore spaced apart
from the front surface 121 of the head 120. In the exemplified
embodiment, the light source 170 is positioned directly adjacent to
the matte 132.
[0051] In certain embodiments, due to the sheath component 152 at
least partially blocking the light from being seen or emitted as
the light rays travel through the light-transmitting filaments 150,
a desirable aesthetic effect may be achieved along with a hygienic
effect. Specifically, if the sheath component 152 of each
light-transmitting filament is opaque or very resistant to the
transmission of light, the light will only become visible at the
distal end 159 of each light-transmitting filament 150 as the core
component 151 becomes exposed at the light-emitting portion 158.
Even if the sheath component 152 permits some light to pass through
it, a much greater amount of light will be directed through the
core component 151 and become visible to a user only at the distal
end 159 of the light-transmitting filament 150. This will create a
desirable aesthetic and may also precisely direct the light into
desired areas of the mouth through the core component 151 of the
light-transmitting filaments 150.
[0052] The light-transmitting filaments 150 may operate in a
similar manner to an optical fiber such that light is transmitted
between the two ends of the light-transmitting filaments 150 with
the core component 151 due to the core component 151 being
surrounded by the sheath component 152 which has a lower index of
refraction or transmittance than the core component 151. In some
embodiments, the light may remain in the core component 151 by the
phenomenon of total internal reflection.
[0053] Referring briefly to FIG. 5B, a slightly modified version of
the oral care implement 100 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the
components and features of the oral care implement 100 are
identical to that which has been described herein except that the
light source 170 is no longer positioned within the internal cavity
125 and adjacent to the anchor portions 118 of the tufts 117 and/or
the matte 132. Rather, in this embodiment the light source 170 is
positioned in the neck or handle 110 of the oral care implement 100
and a light pipe 171 directs the light generated by the light
source 170 to the matte 132 so that the light is emitted through
the light-transmitting filaments 150 in the same manner as
described herein above. Specifically, the light pipe 171 extends
from the light source 170 to the anchor portions 118 of the tufts
117 and/or the matte 132 to direct the light form the light source
170 to the anchor portions 118 of the tufts 117 and/or the matte
132. The light pipe 171 may be a hollow region of the oral care
implement 100 or it may be a structure that is known to facilitate
the transfer of light such as any of the various known types of
light tubes.
[0054] Referring briefly to FIG. 5C, another slightly modified
version of the oral care implement 100 is illustrated. In the
embodiment discussed above, the support 123 of the head 120 and the
handle 110 are integrally formed and the plate 130 is separately
formed from the support 123 and the handle 110 and later coupled
thereto. In FIG. 5C, the plate 130 is integrally formed with the
handle 110 and the support 123 is separately formed from the handle
110 and the plate 130. Specifically, in this embodiment after the
tufts 117 are coupled to the plate 130 and melted/fused as
described herein above, the support 123 is formed to secure the
tufts 117 to the plate 130 and prevent the tufts 117 from being
removed via the rear surface 122 of the head 120. In this
embodiment the support 123 may be formed via an injection molding
process using a rigid plastic material similar to the material used
to form the plate 130 and the handle 110. Alternatively, the
support 123 may be formed via an injection molding process out of a
resilient or elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic
elastomer. The support 123 may be injection molded directly into a
basin or recess 145 that is formed into the rear surface 122 of the
head 120 or it may be formed separately from the plate 130 and
handle 110 and later affixed thereto using adhesive, ultrasonic
welding, or the like. In certain embodiments, the support 123 may
also include protrusions or nubs/ridges extending from its exposed
surface such that the support 123 may function as a tongue or soft
tissue cleanser. The exposed surface of the support 123 may form
the entirety or a portion of the rear surface 122 of the head
120.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative light-transmitting
filament 250 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The light-transmitting filament 250 may be used
in place of the light-transmitting filament 150 discussed above.
While the light-transmitting filament 150 discussed above is
generally best suited for use when the light-transmitting filament
150 is coupled to the head using an anchor-free tufting technique,
the light-transmitting filament 250 is best suited for use when the
light-transmitting filament 250 is coupled to the head using staple
technology.
[0056] The light-transmitting filament 250 is a U-shaped filament
comprising a core component 251 and a sheath component 252. The
sheath component 252 surrounds the core component 251 along a
portion of the length of the core component 251. More specifically,
the light-transmitting filament 250 comprises a bight portion 253,
a first leg portion 254 extending from a first end of the bight
portion 253, and a second leg portion 255 extending from a second
end of the bight portion 253 that is opposite the first end. The
first leg portion 254 comprises a first section 256 of the sheath
component 252 and a first section 257 of the core component 251,
the first section 256 of the sheath component 252 surrounding the
first section 257 of the core component 251. The first leg portion
254 terminates at a distal end 263. The first section 256 of the
sheath component 252 terminates in a lower end 261. The second leg
portion 255 comprises a second section 258 of the sheath component
252 and a second section 259 of the core component 251, the second
section 258 of the sheath component 252 surrounding the second
section 259 of the core component 251. The second leg portion 255
terminates at a distal end 264. The second section 258 of the
sheath component 252 terminates in a lower end 262. The bight
portion 253 comprises a third section 260 of the core component
251. The third section 260 of the core component 251 protrudes from
and extends between the lower ends 261, 262 of the first and second
sections 256, 258 of the sheath component 252. The bight portion
253 is free of the sheath component 252 such that the bight portion
253 is formed entirely from the core component 251.
[0057] Furthermore, first section 257 of the core component 251
comprises a light-emitting portion 265 that is exposed at the
distal end 263 of the first leg 254 of the light-transmitting
filament 250. The second section 259 of the core component 251
comprises a light-emitting portion 266 that is exposed at the
distal end 264 of the second leg 255 of the light-transmitting
filament 250. In the exemplified embodiment the light-emitting
portions 265, 266 do not protrude from the upper ends of the first
and second sections 256, 258 of the sheath component 252. However,
in alternative embodiments the light-emitting portions 265, 266 may
protrude from the upper ends of the first and second sections 256,
258 of the sheath component 252 similar to that which was described
above with reference to FIG. 4C.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B concurrently, an oral care
implement 200 is illustrated and will be described in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The oral care
implement 200 is similar to the oral care implement 100 except as
described herein below. Specifically, the oral care implement 200
uses staple technology to couple the light-transmitting filaments
250 to the oral care implement 200 rather than the anchor-free
tufting techniques (i.e., melting/fusing the base portions 157 of
the light-transmitting filaments together).
[0059] The oral care implement 200 comprises a handle 210 and a
head 220. In this embodiment, the head 220 is a single piece
structure that is integrally formed with the handle 210 and there
is no separately formed plate. The head 220 comprises a front
surface 221 and an opposing rear surface 222. A plurality of tuft
holes 225 are formed into the front surface 221 of the head 220.
The tuft holes 225 may be referred to herein as a passageway in the
head 220 or body that terminates in an aperture or opening in a
front surface 221 of the head 220 or body. A plurality of the
light-transmitting filaments 250 are clumped together into one or
more tufts 217 and the light-transmitting filaments 250 of each
tuft 217 are inserted into one of the tuft holes 225 such that the
bight portions 253 of the light-transmitting filaments 250 are
positioned within the tuft holes 225. The tufts 217 are then
secured to the head 220 by a staple 280. Specifically, the staple
280 is secured within each tuft hole 225 adjacent or in contact
with the top of the bight portions 253 so that the
light-transmitting filaments 250 and the tufts 217 are securely
coupled to the head 220 within the respective tuft hole 225.
[0060] The oral care implement 200 of this embodiment includes a
light source 270 that is similar to the light source 170 of the
oral care implement 100 described above. The light source 270 is
positioned in operable cooperation with the light-transmitting
filaments 250 to emit the light into and through the
light-transmitting filaments 250. Specifically, in this embodiment
the bight portions 253 of the light-transmitting filaments 250 may
collectively be considered the anchor portion of the tuft 217. The
light source 270 generates light that is transmitted through the
bight portions 253 of the light-transmitting filaments 250 and
through the core component 251 (i.e., through the first and second
sections 257, 259 of the core component 251). The light is then
emitted from the light-emitting portions 264, 265 of the first and
second sections 257, 259 of the core component 251.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8E, a method of forming a
light-emitting oral care implement will be described in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to
FIG. 8A, a plurality of filaments 300 are formed, each of the
filaments 300 comprising a core component 301 formed of a first
material having a first light transmittance and a sheath component
302 formed of a second material having a second light
transmittance. In the exemplified embodiment the sheath component
302 surrounds the core component 301 along its entire length. As
discussed above, the first light transmittance of the first
material that forms the core component 301 is greater than the
second light transmittance of the second material that forms the
sheath component 302.
[0062] Next, referring to FIG. 8B, for each of the filaments 300, a
portion of the sheath component 302 is removed so that a base
portion 303 of the core component 301 is exposed and no longer
surrounded by the sheath component 302. Specifically, a lower
portion of the sheath component 302 is removed such that the base
portion 303 of the core component 301 protrudes from a lower end
304 of a remaining portion of the sheath component 302. Removing
the lower portion of the sheath component 302 forms a
light-transmitting filament 310, depicted in FIG. 8B.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the portion of the sheath component
302 may be removed by eroding the portion of the sheath component
302 with a chemical etchant. Specifically, in certain embodiments,
the second material of the sheath component 302 may be erodible by
a chemical etchant and the first material of the core component 301
may be resistant to the chemical etchant. In this embodiment, the
filaments 300 may be partially dipped in the chemical etchant so
that the portion of the sheath component 302 is removed or eroded
by the chemical etchant. The core component 301 will remain
unaffected by the chemical etchant because the first material is
resistant thereto. Of course, using a chemical etchant is only one
technique for forming the light-emitting filament 310. In other
embodiments the portion of the sheath component 302 may be removed
using a cutting or shearing element. In other embodiments the
light-transmitting filament 310 may be formed by an extrusion
process so that removal of a portion of the sheath component 302 is
not required. Other processes and techniques are possible and
within the scope of the present invention.
[0064] Next, referring to FIG. 9C, the light-transmitting filaments
310 are bundled into filament bundles 315 (also referred to herein
as tufts) while maintaining the base portions 303 of the core
components 301 adjacent to one another. The filament bundles 315
are then inserted into a passageway 341 of a body of a
light-emitting oral care implement. Specifically, referring to FIG.
9C, the filament bundles 315 are inserted into holes or passageways
341 that are formed through a plate 320 so that the base portions
303 of the core components 301 protrude from a rear or bottom
surface 322 of the plate 320. The holes or passageways extend
through the entirety of the plate 320 from a front surface 321 of
the plate 320 to the rear surface 322 of the plate 320.
[0065] Next, referring to FIG. 8D, the base portions 303 of the
core components 301 of the light-transmitting filaments 310 of the
filament bundles 315 are anchored within the body or plate 320 to
facilitate mounting or coupling the light-transmitting filaments
310 to the oral care implement. Specifically, in the exemplified
embodiment this is accomplished by fusing the base portions 303 of
the light-transmitting filaments 310 of the bundle 315 together to
form a monolithic mass of the first material (i.e., a matte 325)
that is free of the second material. Specifically, because the base
portions 303 of the light-transmitting filaments 310 are formed
entirely of the core component 351 and entirely of the first
material, the monolithic mass of the matte 325 is also formed
entirely of the first material of the core component 351. Fusing
the base portions 303 of the light-transmitting filaments 310 of
the bundle 315 together is achieved by applying heat, ultrasonic
energy, or the like to the base portions 303 of the
light-transmitting filaments 310 of the filament bundle 315. Of
course, as discussed above in other embodiments the
light-transmitting filaments 310 may be anchored to the oral care
implement by using a staple.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 8E, in the final step of the exemplified
embodiment, the plate 320 with the filament bundles 315 coupled
thereto is coupled to a support 326 of a head 330 of an oral care
implement 305. The plate 320 is coupled to the support 326 so that
a light source 370 is in operable cooperation with the
light-transmitting filaments 310 to facilitate transmitting light
through the light-transmitting filaments 310 and emitting the light
from the distal ends of the light-transmitting filaments 310 as
described herein above.
[0067] Although the method has been described with regard to using
an anchor-free tufting, the method of forming a light-transmitting
oral care implement can also be accomplished using anchor or staple
technology which has been described herein with reference to FIGS.
7A and 7B.
[0068] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention
should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *